CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Trent Richardson was in the training room getting treatment on his injured ribs and still reveling in the Browns' 7-6 victory over San Diego when he heard the man who once called him "ordinary" was waiting at his locker.

Naturally, Richardson dashed straight out to talk to Jim Brown. You don't keep a legend waiting, even if he's been critical in the past.

The former great Browns running back met with the current Browns starter. They posed for photographs, exchanged telephone numbers and shared stories of battle wounds. Brown declared the future is bright for his Browns, particularly with the no-longer ordinary Richardson leading the way.

"That's my partner, man," Brown said. "He's done everything I thought he should do. He never took anything I said the wrong way. He's interested in his family. He's interested in this team. And he's willing to make sacrifices because really, he's hurt more than you think he is right now."

Richardson ran for a career-high 122 yards on 24 carries with a rib cartilage injury that makes it painful to move. Brown said he's never had an identical injury, but he remembers how any pain in his midsection made it particularly difficult to move, even more painful to be tackled. Brown was impressed with not only Richardson's resilience against the Chargers, but the exceptional ability he has shown in his first eight NFL games.

"He's showing everybody he can run the ball, he can break tackles," Brown said. "And he can break tackles in the National Football League, that's what he did today. That touchdown had about three or four tackles that he broke. Those quick movements, the body strength, the low center of gravity -- it's all there. He demonstrated that today."

Just as important as the ability on the field is the attitude shown off the field, Brown said. In their brief meeting, Brown said the two discussed forming a group of players who can meet to discuss how to manage finances and ensure stability after retirement from playing careers.

"He's a leader," Brown said. "At this stage, that's very rare to be calling someone a leader. But his work ethic and his attitude is going to be great for the team and the city."

It's early, still, and Brown is not one who is typically easily impressed. But so far, he likes what he sees.

"He's showing a lot of heart and a lot of talent," Brown said. "He's got the right attitude, he's a good kid and he's got talent. And he's shown me talent. ...

"He performed today under circumstances when he didn't have to go out there. And that's hard to do."